Fully automatic spraying system
One of the innovations featured at the show is the fully automated spraying system developed by WICKERT for rubber and plastics processing in hydraulic presses. This innovation eliminates the error-prone manual application of release and flow agents, which until now has carried risks for both product quality and workplace safety.
The automated system works with movable distribution beams equipped with individually adjustable nozzles. A spraying unit moves back and forth between the upper and lower die and wets the mould halves homogeneously and reproducibly. The system can typically be retrofitted to existing presses with ease, allowing users to integrate precise application of release and flow agents into existing production processes without difficulty.
Automation as the answer to current challenges
In view of the shortage of skilled workers and rising personnel costs, the automation of hydraulic presses is becoming increasingly urgent for many companies. Wickert meets this challenge to increase productivity with a comprehensive range of services.
It covers all stages from component development, concept and feasibility studies to overall planning and general contracting for complete production lines, including turnkey solutions.
Smart, customer-specific and energy-efficient concepts are possible for both small systems and large presses. The degree of automation can be freely selected between classic manual and fully automatic.
Automation up to the smart factory
If requested, WICKERT presses can be fully equipped with sensors and actuators, enabling them to collect a wide range of operational data. This includes information on actual machine wear for predictive maintenance as well as data on production and processes and the quality of workpieces.
Automation can be extended even further within a smart factory concept, which involves the intelligent networking of hydraulic presses and their associated peripheral equipment with other systems and higher-level process control platforms.
From machine manufacturer to system integrator
In recent years, Wickert has successfully evolved from a pure machine manufacturer to a provider of complete press systems. In the past five years, the share of press systems with automation has risen from 20% to 60% of total sales.
Alongside automation, the company places special emphasis on intelligent machine design that helps reduce energy costs and enables ergonomic operation.
